Systems and methods for separating objects using vacuum diverts with one or more object processing systems

ABSTRACT

A distribution system for use in an induction system with an object processing system. The distribution system provides dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes an air intake system with an opening that is a fixed distance from a conveyor section, said air intake system aiding in moving an object on the conveyor section from the conveyor section to one of a plurality of adjacent transport units.

PRIORITY

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/789,775 filed Jan. 8, 2019; and the presentapplication is a continuation-in-part application of and claims priorityto U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/661,820 filed Oct. 23, 2019,which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/884,351 filed Aug. 8, 2019 and U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/749,509 filed Oct. 23, 2018; and the present applicationfurther is a continuation-in-part application of claims priority to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/543,105 filed Aug. 16, 2019, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/956,442filed Apr. 18, 2018, now patented as U.S. Pat. No. 10,438,034, issuedOct. 8, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/486,783 filed Apr. 18, 2017, the disclosures ofall of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The invention generally relates to automated (e.g., programmable motion)and other processing systems, and relates in particular to programmablemotion (e.g., robotic) systems intended for use in environmentsrequiring, for example, that a variety of objects (e.g., articles,parcels or packages) be processed (e.g., sorted and/or otherwisedistributed) to several output destinations.

Many object distribution systems receive objects in an organized ordisorganized stream that may be provided as individual objects orobjects aggregated in groups such as in bags, arriving on any of severaldifferent conveyances, commonly a conveyor, a truck, a pallet, aGaylord, or a bin. Each object must then be distributed to the correctdestination container, as determined by identification informationassociated with the object, which is commonly determined by a labelprinted on the object. The destination container may take many forms,such as a bag or a bin or a tote.

The processing of such objects has traditionally been done by humanworkers that scan the objects, e.g., with a hand-held barcode scanner,and then place the objects at assigned locations. For example many orderfulfillment operations achieve high efficiency by employing a processcalled wave picking. In wave picking, orders are picked from warehouseshelves and placed at locations (e.g., into bins) containing multipleorders that are sorted downstream. At the processing stage individualobjects are identified, and multi-object orders are consolidated, forexample into a single bin or shelf location, so that they may be packedand then shipped to customers. The processing (e.g., sorting) of theseobjects has traditionally been done by hand. A human sorter picks anobject from an incoming bin, finds a barcode on the object, scans thebarcode with a handheld barcode scanner, determines from the scannedbarcode the appropriate bin or shelf location for the article, and thenplaces the article in the so-determined bin or shelf location where allobjects for that order have been defined to belong. Automated systemsfor order fulfillment have also been proposed. See for example, U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0244026, which discloses the useof a robotic arm together with an arcuate structure that is movable towithin reach of the robotic arm.

In conventional parcel sortation systems, human workers or automatedsystems typically retrieve objects in an arrival order, and sort eachobject into a collection bin based on a set of given heuristics. Forinstance, all objects of like type might go to a collection bin, or allobjects in a single customer order, or all objects destined for the sameshipping destination, etc. The human workers or automated systems arerequired to receive objects and to move each to their assignedcollection bin. If the number of different types of input (received)objects is large, a large number of collection bins is required.

Such a system has inherent inefficiencies as well as inflexibilitiessince the desired goal is to match incoming objects to assignedcollection bins. Such systems may require a large number of collectionbins (and therefore a large amount of physical space, large capitalcosts, and large operating costs) in part, because sorting all objectsto all destinations at once is not always most efficient.

Certain partially automated sortation systems involve the use ofrecirculating conveyors and tilt trays, where the tilt trays receiveobjects by human sortation (human induction), and each tilt tray movespast a scanner. Each object is then scanned and moved to a pre-definedlocation assigned to the object. The tray then tilts to drop the objectinto the location. Further, partially automated systems, such as thebomb-bay style recirculating conveyor, involve having trays open doorson the bottom of each tray at the time that the tray is positioned overa predefined chute, and the object is then dropped from the tray intothe chute. Again, the objects are scanned while in the tray, whichassumes that any identifying code is visible to the scanner.

Such partially automated systems are lacking in key areas. As noted,these conveyors have discrete trays that can be loaded with an object;they then pass through scan tunnels that scan the object and associateit with the tray in which it is riding. When the tray passes the correctbin, a trigger mechanism causes the tray to dump the object into thebin. A drawback with such systems however, is that every divert requiresan actuator, which increases the mechanical complexity and the cost perdivert can be very high.

An alternative is to use human labor to increase the number of diverts,or collection bins, available in the system. This decreases systeminstallation costs, but increases the operating costs. Multiple cellsmay then work in parallel, effectively multiplying throughput linearlywhile keeping the number of expensive automated diverts at a minimum.Such diverts do not ID an object and cannot divert it to a particularspot, but rather they work with beam breaks or other sensors to seek toensure that indiscriminate bunches of objects get appropriatelydiverted. The lower cost of such diverts coupled with the low number ofdiverts keep the overall system divert cost low.

Unfortunately, these systems don't address the limitations to totalnumber of system bins. The system is simply diverting an equal share ofthe total objects to each parallel manual cell. Thus each parallelsortation cell must have all the same collection bins designations;otherwise an object might be delivered to a cell that does not have abin to which that object is mapped. There remains a need for a moreefficient and more cost effective object sortation system that sortsobjects of a variety of sizes and weights into appropriate collectionbins or trays of fixed sizes, yet is efficient in handling objects ofsuch varying sizes and weights.

Further, such systems require human personnel to oversee the inductionof objects where the processing system may receive objects that it maynot be able to efficiently handle or be able to handle at all.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect, the invention provides a distributionsystem for use in an induction system with an object processing system.The distribution system provides dissimilar objects into one of aplurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes an airintake system with an opening that is a fixed distance from a conveyorsection, said air intake system aiding in moving an object on theconveyor section from the conveyor section to one of a plurality ofadjacent transport units.

In accordance with another aspect, the invention provides a distributionsystem for use in an induction system with an object processing system.The distribution system provides dissimilar objects into one of aplurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes an airtransfer system including a forced air system and an air intake systemthat together aid in moving an object on the conveyor section from theconveyor section to one of a plurality of adjacent conveyors.

In accordance with a further aspect, the invention provides a method ofdistributing dissimilar objects to one of a plurality of receiving unitsin a pre-processing system for use with an object processing system. Themethod includes providing an air transfer system opposite an air intakesystem, and engaging the air transfer system and the air intake systemto aid in moving an object on the conveyor section from the conveyorsection to one of a plurality of adjacent conveyors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description may be further understood with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a processing systemand an induction system in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of the input station ofthe induction system of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A-3D show illustrative diagrammatic views of stages of an objectmoving by perception units at the input station of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A-4D show illustrative diagrammatic side views of stages of theobject moving in the input station of FIGS. 3A-3D;

FIG. 5 shows an illustrative diagrammatic underside view of a perceptionunit of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6A-6C show illustrative diagrammatic views of an object from theperception unit of FIG. 5 employing imaging (FIG. 6A), edge detection(FIG. 6B) and volumetric scanning (FIG. 6C);

FIG. 7 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a label that includesspecial processing words in accordance with aspect of the system;

FIG. 8 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a labelled objectwhere the label includes special processing image(s) in accordance withan aspect of the system;

FIG. 9 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a processing systemand an induction system in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention that includes a deformable object induction limitingsystem;

FIGS. 10A-10C show illustrative diagrammatic side views of an objectbeing processed in the deformable object induction limiting system ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a processing systemand an induction system in accordance with a further embodiment of thepresent invention that includes a programmable motion device at theinput station;

FIG. 12 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of the input station ofthe system of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of the programmablemotion device of the input station of FIGS. 11 and 12, includingadditional optional engaged-object perception units (not shown in FIGS.11 and 12);

FIG. 14 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a grasped object withthe additional optional engaged-object perception units of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of the grasped object ofFIG. 14 with a set of illumination sources and perception units engagedin accordance with an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 16 shows an illustrative diagrammatic side view of the system ofFIG. 14 showing two sets of perception units;

FIG. 17 shows an illustrative diagrammatic side view of the system ofFIG. 15 showing the two sets of perception units shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a 3D scanner systemfor use in accordance with another aspect of the invention;

FIG. 19 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a plurality of 3Dscanner systems being used in accordance with a further aspect of theinvention;

FIG. 20 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a 3D scan process ofan end effector grasping an object;

FIG. 21 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a net 3D scan of anobject and a portion of the end effector that is grasping the object,showing the portion of the 3D scan of the end effector that will beremoved;

FIGS. 22A-22D show illustrative diagrammatic views of an object beingsubjected to deformability testing in accordance with an aspect of theinvention;

FIG. 23 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of an object processingsystem for use with a pre-processing system in accordance with an aspectof the invention;

FIG. 24 shows an illustrative diagrammatic side view of the objectprocessing system of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 shows an illustrative diagrammatic rear view of the objectprocessing system of FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of the processingstation in the object processing system of FIG. 23;

FIG. 27 shows an illustrative diagrammatic front view of a primaryperception system in the object processing system of FIG. 23;

FIGS. 28A-28C show an illustrative diagrammatic views of a divertingstation in the object processing system of FIG. 23 showing an object ona conveyor (FIG. 28A), engaged by a diverting paddle (FIG. 28B), anddischarging the object into a carriage (FIG. 28C);

FIG. 29 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a destination sectionin the object processing system of FIG. 23;

FIG. 30 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of the destinationsection of FIG. 29, with the carriage moved along the track anddischarging the object into a destination bin;

FIG. 31 shows an illustrative diagrammatic layout model view of aninduction system in accordance an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 32 shows an illustrative diagrammatic layout model view of anotherinduction system in accordance another aspect of the invention showing alayout similar to the system of FIG. 9;

FIG. 33 shows an illustrative diagrammatic model view of an inductionsystem in accordance another aspect of the invention that includes aclassification system;

FIG. 34 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of an induction systemin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention together witha plurality of processing systems;

FIG. 35 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of an induction systemin accordance with another embodiment of the present invention togetherwith a plurality of processing systems;

FIG. 36 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of an induction systemin accordance with a further embodiment of the present inventiontogether with a plurality of processing systems;

FIG. 37 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a plurality ofinduction systems in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention together with a plurality of processing systems;

FIG. 38 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a plurality ofdifferent induction systems in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention together with a plurality of processing systems;

FIGS. 39A and 39B show illustrative diagrammatic views of a weightsensing conveyor section in accordance with an aspect of the inventionthat includes a weight scale;

FIGS. 40A and 40B show illustrative diagrammatic views of a weightsensing conveyor section in accordance with an aspect of the inventionthat includes load cells or force torque sensors;

FIGS. 41A-41D show illustrative diagrammatic views of a weight sensingconveyor section in accordance with an aspect of the invention thatfurther determines a center of mass of an object;

FIGS. 42A and 42B show illustrative diagrammatic views of a weightsensing conveyor section in accordance with an aspect of the inventionthat includes multiple scales;

FIGS. 43A-43C show illustrative diagrammatic views of a weight sensingconveyor section in accordance with an aspect of the invention thatincludes multiple rollers with any of load cells or force torquesensors;

FIG. 44 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of an end effector foruse in accordance with an aspect of the invention that includes any ofload cells or force torque sensors;

FIG. 45 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of an end effector foruse in accordance with an aspect of the invention that includes amagnetic sensor;

FIG. 46 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of an end effector foruse in accordance with an aspect of the invention that includes vacuumflow and/or pressure sensor;

FIG. 47 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a weight sensingcarriage for use in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 48 shows an illustrative diagrammatic side view of the weightsensing carriage of FIG. 47;

FIG. 49 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of an induction systemin accordance with an aspect of the invention that includes a slopingconveyor with a conveyor section that includes bomb-bay drop doors;

FIGS. 50A and 50B show illustrative diagrammatic views of the conveyorsection of FIG. 49 over a horizontal conveyor in accordance with anaspect of the invention;

FIGS. 51A and 51B show illustrative diagrammatic end views of theconveyor section of FIGS. 50A and 50B;

FIGS. 52A and 52B show illustrative diagrammatic views of a conveyorsection for use in accordance with an aspect of the invention thatincludes bomb-bay doors over a further sloped conveyor;

FIG. 53 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of an air-permeableconveyor section for use in accordance with an aspect of the inventionwith a vacuum roller;

FIG. 54 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of an induction systemin accordance with an aspect of the present invention that includes anair-permeable conveyor section and a vacuum roller;

FIGS. 55A-55D show illustrative diagrammatic side views of theair-permeable conveyor section and vacuum roller of FIG. 54 in a systemproviding sortation by weight;

FIG. 56 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of an induction systemin accordance with an aspect of the present invention that includes aconveyor-to-conveyor transfer station;

FIG. 57 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of an air-permeableconveyor section for use in accordance with an aspect of the inventionwith a blower and a vacuum source;

FIG. 58 shows an illustrative diagrammatic side view of theair-permeable conveyor section, blower and vacuum of FIG. 57;

FIGS. 59A-59C show illustrative diagrammatic side views of theair-permeable conveyor section, blower and vacuum of FIG. 57 being usedto move an object;

FIG. 60 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of an air-permeableconveyor section for use in accordance with an aspect of the inventionwith a side blower and a side vacuum source;

FIG. 61 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of an air-permeableconveyor section for use in accordance with an aspect of the inventionwith a side blower and a side vacuum source, as well as an undersideblower source;

FIG. 62 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a conveyor sectionfor use in accordance with an aspect of the invention with a side blowerand a side vacuum source;

FIG. 63 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of the conveyor section,side blower and side vacuum source of FIG. 62 for use in accordance withan aspect of the invention with opposing chutes;

FIG. 64 shows an illustrative diagrammatic side view of the conveyorsection, side blower, side vacuum source and opposing chutes of FIG. 63;

FIG. 65 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a conveyor sectionfor use in accordance with an aspect of the invention that includesbi-directional rollers and a pair of opposing chutes;

FIGS. 66A and 66B show illustrative diagrammatic views of a conveyorsection for use in accordance with an aspect of the invention thatincludes bi-directional rollers and a pair of opposing chutes withbomb-bay doors;

FIG. 67 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a conveyor sectionfor use in accordance with an aspect of the invention that includes aside blower and a side vacuum source, and a pair of opposing chutes withbomb-bay doors;

FIGS. 68A and 68B show illustrative diagrammatic views of a conveyorsection for use in accordance with an aspect of the invention with sidepaddles and a pair of opposing chutes;

FIG. 69 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a conveyor sectionfor use in accordance with an aspect of the invention with side paddlesand opposing chutes, one of which includes bomb-bay doors;

FIG. 70 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of multiple processingsystems for use with an induction system as disclosed with reference toFIGS. 1, 9, 11, 34-38, 49, 54, 56 and 63-69 employing manual andautomated processing stations;

FIG. 71 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of an object processingsystem for use with induction systems employing automated carriers asdisclosed with reference to FIGS. 63-69 and an automated processingstation;

FIG. 72 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of an object processingsystem for use with induction systems employing automated carriers asdisclosed with reference to FIGS. 63-69 and a manual processing station;and

FIG. 73 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of an object processingsystem for use with an induction system employing automated carriers asdisclosed with reference to FIGS. 63-69 that includes both manual andautomated processing stations.

The drawings are shown for illustrative purposes only.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with an embodiment, the invention provides an inductionfiltering system in which objects (e.g., packages) are screened andlimited from entering an object processing system. Only objects thatmeet defined criteria may be processed by the object processing systemin accordance with certain aspects of the invention. The inductionfiltering system includes at least one evaluation system as well asmultiple processing paths, at least one of which leads to the objectprocessing system in accordance with certain aspects of the invention.

An automated package sortation system needs to be able to singulate andsort individual packages, in order to route them to specificdestinations. Some package sortation systems handle packages using arobotic picking system. The robot acquires a grip on the package,separating it from a pile of other packages, where it can then bescanned and sent to a sorting location. Such automated package handlingsystems inevitably encounter packages that cannot be processed, because,for example, the packages are outside of the system's packagespecifications. The robot or the gripper, for example, can only pickitems that are within a weight specification. Thus items that it cannothandle might include items that are too light or too heavy, that are toobig or too small, or that in some other way cannot be handled by thesystem.

These incompatible packages can jam up the system. If they are too big,they may get stuck on the conveying systems through the robot packagesortation system, and therefore prevent other packages from flowingthrough. The incompatible packages may also reduce the effectivethroughput of the sortation system. If they do get through and arepresented in a pile to the robot picking system, then the robot may tryto pick the incompatible packages. If the package is outside of thesystem's specification, then the resulting grip on the object might beinadequate to safely transfer the item, and the robot might drop thepackage and potentially damage the package. Alternatively, if it is ableto successfully pick and transfer the package, in doing so it couldpotentially damage the robotic picking system in some way whilestraining to move the out-of-specification package.

Compatible package specifications might include: a range of validpackage weights, a range of compatible package dimensions, a set ofvalid labeling types (e.g., whether they employ a printed-on label vs.an adhesive-applied label), exclusion of items marked as fragile,exclusion of items marked as having been insured at high value, andtherefore would prefer to be sorted with greater care by hand, exclusionof items marked as containing hazardous materials, such as lithium-ionbatteries, and exclusion for any other reason for which the packagemight be flagged in a database as requiring exception or manualhandling. It is desired to provide a system that filters outincompatible packages before they arrive at the package handling system,and/or improves the ability of the package handling system tospecifically recognize incompatible packages so that robotic picks arenot attempted on objects needing to be handled manually.

In accordance with an embodiment, the invention provides an inductionsystem that limits or manages the induction of objects to an objectprocessing system. In certain aspects, the system provides a variety ofapproaches to automatically re-route incompatible packages before theyarrive at a package sortation system consisting of one or more roboticpickers, or to minimize their impact should they arrive at a roboticpicking area.

FIG. 1, for example, shows an induction system 10 that filters (e.g.,limits, or manages) objects that are being fed to an object processingsystem 12. The induction system 10 includes an input station 14 to whichobjects are presented, for example, in a singulated stream on a conveyor22. Any of the conveyors of the systems of FIGS. 1, 9, 11, 23, 34-38,49, 56 and 70 may be cleated or non-cleated conveyors, and the systemsmay monitor movement of the conveyors (and thereby the objects thereon)via a plurality of sensors and/or conveyor speed control systems. Aresponse evaluation section 16 of the conveyor 22 includes one or moretransport sets of rollers 30, as well as one or more perturbationrollers 32 as shown in FIG. 2. With further reference to FIGS. 3A-3D,perception units (e.g., cameras or scanners) 18 are directedhorizontally toward the conveyor section 16, and perception units (e.g.,cameras or scanners) 20 are directed downward onto the conveyor section16.

With reference to FIGS. 4A-4D, when an object 34 travels along thetransport rollers 30, it will contact a perturbation roller 32 (as shownin FIG. 4B). The perturbation roller(s) 32 may be any of a largerdiameter roller, or may be raised with respect to the transport rollers30, and may be rotating at a faster rotational velocity than thetransport rollers 30. In this way, and using the perception units 18,20, the system may determine (together with computer processing system100) a wide variety of characteristics of the object 34. For example,the rollers 32 may be mounted on force torque sensors (as discussedfurther below with reference to FIGS. 40A-42C), and the system maydetermine an estimated weight when the object 34 is determined (usingthe perception units 18) to be balanced on the roller 32. The roller(s)32 on force torque sensors may therefore be used to determine anobject's weight as it passes over the roller(s).

Further, if the roller(s) 32 are rotating at a faster rotationalvelocity, the system may determine an inertial value for the object 34as the roller(s) engage and discharge the object from the roller(s). Awide variety of further characteristics may also be determined orestimated, such as for example, center of mass (COM) using the roller(s)in combination with the perception unit(s) as discussed herein andfurther below. The system may further use the perception units androller(s) 32 (together with computer processing system 100) to determinewhether the object is a collapsible bag, and/or whether the presumedobject 34 is actually a multi-pick (includes multiple objects), again,using the perception unit(s) in combination with the roller(s) byobserving whether the objects move apart and/or whether the shape of theobject changes as it rides over the roller(s) 32. In accordance withfurther aspects of the invention, the transport rollers 30 may bereplaced by conveyor sections that stand below the height of theperturbation rollers 32.

The induction system 10 may further include a multi-purpose perceptionunit 24 positioned above the conveyor 22 (e.g., higher above than units20) for viewing an object 27 as shown in FIG. 1. The perception unit 24includes lights 74 as well as one or more perception units 76 (e.g.,scanners or cameras) for detecting any identifying indicia (e.g.,barcode, QR code, RFID, labels etc.) on objects on the conveyor 22.

The perception unit 24 also includes scanning and receiving units 80,82, as well as edge detection units 84 for capturing a variety ofcharacteristics of a selected object on the conveyor 22. FIG. 6A shows aview from the capture system, and knowing the recorded volume of theview of an empty conveyor 22, the volume of the object 27, V₂₇ may beestimated. In particular, the object 27 is volumetrically scanned asshown in FIG. 6C. This volume is compared with recorded data regardingthe item that is identified by the identifying indicia as provided bythe perception units 18, 20 or the recorded object data.

In accordance with further aspects of the invention, the system mayadditionally employ edge detection sensors 84 that are employed (againtogether with the processing system 100), to detect edges of any objectsin a bin, for example using data regarding any of intensity, shadowdetection, or echo detection etc., and may be employed for example, todetermine any of size, shape and/or contours as shown in FIG. 6B.

The volumetric scanning may be done using the scanning unit 80 andreceiving unit 82 (together with the processing system 100 shown in FIG.1), that send and receive signals, e.g., infrared signals. Withreference to FIG. 6C, the volumetric data may be obtained for example,using any of light detection and ranging (LIDAR) scanners, pulsed timeof flight cameras, continuous wave time of flight cameras, structuredlight cameras, or passive stereo cameras.

As discussed in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 39A-43C, anobject's weight may also be determined using weight sensing conveyorsections. For example, weight sensing conveyor section 55 of FIG. 1 maybe used to determine a weight (again, as discussed below) of an object8. As an object is fed through the input station, the object will passthrough the response evaluation section 16 and multi-purpose perceptionunit 24 (e.g., object 28), and may then be evaluated by the weightsensing conveyor section.

With reference again to FIG. 1, the induction system 10 may provide thatunidentified objects (as well as objects identified as not beingappropriate for processing) 36 are passed through to a conveyor 35 to anexception bin 50. If an object (e.g., 40, 42) is identified as beingappropriate for processing, the object is diverted by multi-directionalconveyor 33 toward conveyor 38. Conveyor 38 may direct the object(s)toward an infeed conveyor 46 via multi-directional conveyor 44, or thesystem may determine that that the object (e.g., object 49) should bedirected along conveyor 48 toward any of additional processing stations(e.g., similar to processing station 12 but able to handle differenttypes of objects). For example, and as discussed in more detail below,the system may employ multiple processing stations, each able to handledifferent objects (such as different size or weight ranges of objects).

In accordance with yet further aspects of the invention, the system mayemploy optical character recognition (OCR) to read labels and detect,for example, trigger words such as “paint” or “hazardous” or“hazardous?: Y” or “Fragile” as shown at 110 in FIG. 7. In furtheraspects, the system may identify images, such as trigger images as shownat 112 in FIG. 8, indicating that the contents are flammable, arerequired to remain upright, or are otherwise hazardous or requirespecialized handling, making them not suitable for processing by theobject processing system 12. The use of such processes permits thedetection of objects that are incompatible with the processing systembecause of their contents as indicated by trigger indicia on an externallabel. This may involve reading labels as noted above and either notpicking the object or moving the object to an exception processing area,or may involve simply identifying the object. For example, if the systemincludes an object database, the system may recognize indicia (such as abar code), and then look up information regarding the scanned code (suchas that the object contains hazardous material or otherwise needsspecial processing. In this case, the system will route the objecttoward an exception area.

FIG. 9 shows an induction system 11 that may provide selected objects tothe object processing system 12. The induction system 11 includes aninput station 14 as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-8 thatincludes a conveyor 22 (with a response evaluation section 16 includingtransport rollers 30, perturbation rollers 32, and perception units 18,20), as well as multipurpose perception unit 24, and weighing conveyor55 for evaluating objects 34, 27, 28 and 29 as discussed above. Again,the system may, for example, determine which of the infeed objects areprovided as bags by observing the object as it passes over aperturbation roller(s) using the perception unit(s), and in particular,observing the rate or amount of change in speed and/or the shape of theobject as the object is processed.

In the induction system of FIG. 9, when each object arrives at an infeedmulti-directional routing conveyor 132, the object is any of: routed toan out-of-specification conveyor 134 (e.g., object 136), routed to anin-specification conveyor 138 (e.g., objects 140, 142), or routed tobag-processing conveyor 144 (e.g., objects 146, 151, 153). When objectsare provided as bags, for example, shipping bags made from polyethylene,it may be more difficult to determine an object's size or other handlingparameters. If an object is identified as being a bag (or otherflexible, malleable object), such objects (again, e.g., 146, 148, 151,153) are diverted to a bag-processing system.

In particular, the conveyor 144 leads to a deformable object inductionlimiting system 194 that includes a programmable motion device such asan articulated arm 192 having an end effector 193 with a load cell orforce torque sensor 195 (shown in FIGS. 10A-10C). In particular, thesystem will move the end effector 193 with the object 191 into contactwith an opening formed by sloped walls 133. If the load cell or forcetorque sensor 195 detects too much force it (above a sensor threshold)when the object contacts the sloped walls 133, then the system mayreject the object for processing. The object would then be placed on aconveyor 196, which joins conveyor 134, leading to an area for objectsthat are not to be processing by the system 12, such as, for example acollection bin or a manual processing station. The system may therebylimit the acceptance of objects that are deformable but still too rigidfor processing by the system 12. Load cells or force torque sensors 135may also be provided on the sloped walls as shown at 133 instead of ortogether with the use of the load cell or force torque sensor 195, or atthe base of the sloped walls as shown at 135. If, on the other hand,movement of the object 191 into the opening provided by the sloped walls133 does not trigger any load cell or force torque sensor above athreshold, then the system may move the object 191 to a conveyor 198that leads to the processing system 12.

If the object 191 is determined to be insufficiently flexible forprocessing by the object processing system 12 (again with reference toFIG. 9), the object may be placed by the articulated arm 192 onto anout-of-specification conveyor 196 (that may join with conveyor 134). Ifthe object 191 is determined to be sufficiently flexible for processingby the object processing system (or another system coupled thereto asdiscussed in more detail below), the object 191 is placed by thearticulated arm 192 onto conveyor 198 that leads to a bi-directionalconveyor 45. If the object is to be processed by object processingsystem 12, then the object is directed toward conveyor 19, and if theobject is to be processed by a further object processing system (asdiscussed below for example with reference to FIG. 36), the object(e.g., 43) is directed toward a further conveyor 47. Again, theoperation is controlled by one or more computer processing systems 200.

FIG. 11 for example, shows a further induction system 13 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention that limits or managespackages that are being fed to an object processing system 12. Theinduction system 13 includes an input station 114 that includes aninduction input programmable motion device, such as an articulated arm116 and end effector 118 (shown in FIGS. 12 and 13) that are designed tobe able to grasp and move a wide variety of objects. In particular, thearticulated arm 116 may be designed to grasp and move objects that are,for example, too large or too heavy to be handled by the processingsystem 12, as well as objects that the processing system 12 is designedto handle. Objects (either individually or in bins 120) are provided onan infeed conveyor 122 to the articulated arm 116. Any of a variety ofdetection units 117 may also be positioned around and directed towardthe end effector 118 of the articulated arm 116 as discussed furtherbelow.

The input system may, for example, determine which of the infeed objectsare provided as bags by observing the object as it is held by the endeffector 118 as discussed further below with reference to FIGS. 22A-22D.In the induction system of FIG. 11, when each object (e.g., object 128on conveyor 130 or object 129 on weight sensing conveyor section 155)arrives at an infeed multi-directional routing conveyor 132, the objectis any of: routed to an out-of-specification conveyor 134 (e.g., object136), routed to an in-specification conveyor 138 (e.g., objects 140,142), or routed to bag-processing conveyor 144 (e.g., objects 146, 151,153) as discussed above with reference to FIG. 9. When objects areprovided as bags, for example, shipping bags made from polyethylene, itmay be more difficult to determine an object's size or other handlingparameters. If an object is identified as being a bag (or otherflexible, malleable object), such objects (again, e.g., 146, 148, 151,153) are diverted to a bag-processing system.

Again, the conveyor 144 leads to a deformable object induction limitingsystem 194 that includes a programmable motion device such as anarticulated arm 192 having an end effector with a load cell or forcetorque sensor (as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 10A-10C). Thesystem will move the end effector with the object into contact with anopening formed by sloped walls. If the load cell or force torque sensordetects too much force it (above a sensor threshold) when the objectcontacts the sloped walls, then the system may reject the object forprocessing. The object would then be placed on a conveyor 196, whichjoins conveyor 134, leading to an area for objects that are not to beprocessing by the system 12. Again, the conveyor 134 may, for example,lead to a collection bin or a manual processing station. The system maythereby limit the acceptance of objects that are deformable but stilltoo rigid for processing by the system 12. Load cells or force torquesensors may also be provided on the sloped walls instead of or togetherwith the use of the load cell or force torque sensor, or at the base ofthe sloped walls. If, on the other hand, movement of the object into theopening provided by the sloped walls does not trigger any load cell orforce torque sensor above a threshold, then the system may move theobject to a conveyor 198 that leads to the processing system 12.

If the object is determined to be insufficiently flexible for processingby the object processing system 12, the object may be placed by thearticulated arm 192 onto an out-of-specification conveyor 196 (again,that may join with conveyor 134). If the object is determined to besufficiently flexible for processing by the object processing system (oranother system coupled thereto as discussed in more detail below), theobject is placed by the articulated arm 192 onto conveyor 198 that leadsto a bi-directional conveyor 59. If the object is to be processed byobject processing system 12, then the object is directed toward conveyor51, and if the object is to be processed by a further object processingsystem (as discussed below for example with reference to FIG. 37), theobject (e.g., 53) is directed toward a further conveyor 57. Again, theoperation is controlled by one or more computer processing systems 200.

With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, a perception system 124 capturesperception data regarding the objects (whether or not in bins 120) thatare below the perception system 124. Objects 128 are identified by theperception system 124, then grasped and are placed on routing conveyor130. Emptied bins 120 are routed along an empty bin conveyor 126. Theplacement location of the objects on the conveyor 130 is noted (andagain each of the conveyors may be a cleated conveyor). With referenceto FIG. 11, when each object arrives at an infeed-diverter 132, theobject is either: routed to an out-of-specifications conveyor 134 (e.g.,object 136), routed to an in-specifications conveyor 138 (e.g., objects140, 142), or routed to bag-processing conveyor 144 (e.g., objects 146,148, 151, 153). The conveyor 130 may also include a weight sensingconveyor section 155 for determining the weight of objects 129 asdiscussed below with reference to FIGS. 39A-43C. The end effector 118may further include a force torque sensor 154 for determining a weightof an object being held by the end effector 118 as discussed furtherbelow with reference to FIGS. 44 and 45 and/or an internal air pressureand/or air flow sensor as discussed further below with reference to FIG.46.

Again, when objects are provided as bags, for example, shipping bagsmade from, e.g., polyethylene, it may be more difficult to determine anobject's size and handling parameters. If an object is identified as abag (or other flexible, malleable object), such objects (again e.g.,146, 148, 151, 153) are diverted to a bag-processing system as discussedfurther above. The end effector 118 may also include a load cell orforce torque sensor 154 (as discussed in more detail below withreference to FIGS. 44 and 45) for determining a weight of an objectbeing grasped, and in further aspects, the conveyor 30 may include aweighing section 155 (again, as discussed below with reference to FIGS.39A-43C), at which each object may be weighed.

In accordance with further aspects, the system may estimate a volume ofan object while the object is being held by the end effector. Inparticular, the system may estimate a volume of picked item while beingheld by gripper, and compare the estimated volume with a known volume.One approach is to estimate the volume of the one or more items whilethe gripper is holding the object 197 (or objects). With reference toFIGS. 14 and 15, in such as a system 150, one or more perception units152, 154, 156, 158 (e.g., cameras or 3D scanners) are placed around ascanning volume. With further reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, oppositeeach perception unit is an illumination source 162, 164, 166, 168 aswell as a diffusing screen 172, 174, 176, 178 in front of eachillumination source.

As shown in FIG. 17, perception data regarding the object 197 as backlitby the illumination source (e.g., 168) and diffuser (e.g., 178) will becaptured by each perception unit (e.g., 158). In accordance with variousaspects, three perception units may be used, spaced apart by one hundredtwenty degrees, and in accordance with further aspects, fewer perceptionunits may be used (e.g., one or two), and the object may be rotatedbetween data acquisition captures.

The scanning volume may be the volume above the area where the items arepicked from; or the scanning volume may be strategically placed inbetween the picking location and the placing location to minimize traveltime. Within the scanning volume, the system takes a snapshot of thevolume of items held by the gripper. The volume could be estimated in avariety of ways depending on the sensor type as discussed above.

For example, if the sensors are cameras, then two or more cameras may beplaced in a ring around the volume, directed slightly upward towards ata backlighting screen (as discussed above) that may be in the shape ofsections of a torus, where the gripped volume is held in between all thecameras and the brightly lit white screen. The brightly lit screenbacklights the one or more held objects, so that the interior volume isblack. Each perception unit and associated illumination source may beactivated in a sequence so that no two illumination sources are on atthe same time. This allows easy segmentation of the held volume in theimage.

The illumination may be provided as a particular wavelength that is notpresent in the room, or the illumination may be modulated and thedetector may demodulate the received perception data so that onlyillumination from the associated source is provided. The black regiononce projected back into space, becomes a frustum and the objects areknown to lie within a solid frustum. Each camera generates a separatefrustum, with the property that the volume of the items is a subset ofall of the frustums. The intersection of all the frustums yields anupper bound on the volume of the object(s). The addition of a cameraimproves the accuracy of the volume estimate. The gripper may be visiblewithin the cameras, and because its position is known, its volume can besubtracted out of the frustum or volume estimate.

In accordance with other aspects, 3D scanners may be used that obtain 3Dimages of the scanning volume, then the volume estimates are obtained ina similar way by fusing together the point clouds received from eachsensor, but without the need for segmenting the images from thebackground using backlighting. Each 3D scanner returns a 3D image, whichfor each pixel in the image returns a depth, and again, may use any oflight detection and ranging (LIDAR) scanners, pulsed time of flightcameras, continuous wave time of flight cameras, structured lightcameras, or passive stereo cameras, etc.

FIG. 18, for example, shows a 3D scanner 182 that projects a grid 188onto a field of view. The 3D scanner 182 may be used in a system 180 asshown in FIG. 19 together with one, two, or three other 3D scanners (twoothers are shown at 184, 186). The 3D scanners are directed toward acommon volume in which the object 197 is positioned while attached tothe end effector 118. Again, with three such 3D scanners, the scannersmay be positioned one hundred twenty degrees apart (ninety degrees apartif four are used, and opposing each other if only two are used). Withreference to FIGS. 20 and 21, each 3D scanner (e.g., 182) captures 3Ddata regarding the object 197. Again, the volume of the end effector maybe removed from the captured data.

In accordance with further aspects, the system may detect changes inobject shape when an object is jostled. This may be done when an objectis first lifted (for example at the input station 114 in FIG. 11 and/orat the deformable object induction limiting system 194 in FIGS. 9 and11). With reference to FIGS. 22A-22D, when an object (e.g., 145) islifted from a bin or conveyor by the end effector 118, the object 145may be held as shown in FIG. 22B, and then subjected to a quick shakemotion as shown in FIGS. 22C and 22D. If the shape of the object changes(beyond, for example, 2%, 5% or 10%), then the object may be classifiedas being a deformable object such as a polyethylene shipping bag. Thescanning may be done by any of the above discussed volumetric scanning,edge detection, LIDAR, and camera image analysis systems. If the objectis determined to be a deformable object, it is routed to the conveyor 44as discussed above.

Again, the conveyor 144 leads to a deformable object induction limitingsystem 194. The deformable object induction limiting system 194 includesa programmable motion device such as an articulated arm 192 having anend effector 193 with a load cell or force torque sensor 195 (shown inFIGS. 10A-10C). In particular, the system will move the end effector 193with the object into contact with an opening formed by sloped walls 133.If the load cell or force torque sensor 195 detects too much force it(above a sensor threshold) when the object contacts the sloped walls133, then the system may reject the object for processing. The objectwould then be placed on a conveyor 196, which joins conveyor 134,leading to an area for objects that are not to be processing by thesystem 12. The system may thereby limit the acceptance of objects thatare deformable but still too rigid for processing by the system 12. Loadcells or force torque sensors may also be provided on the sloped wallsas shown at 133 instead of or together with the use of the load cell orforce torque sensor 195, or at the base of the sloped walls as shown at135. If, on the other hand, movement of the object 145 into the openingprovided by the sloped walls 133 does not trigger any load cell or forcetorque sensor above a threshold, then the system may move the object 145to a conveyor 198 that leads to the processing system 12.

The processing system 12, for example, may include an infeed area 201into which objects may be provided by the processing infeed conveyor(e.g., 46, 19, 51). An infeed conveyor 202 conveys objects from theinfeed area 201 to an intermediate conveyor 204 at a processing station206. The infeed conveyor 202 may include cleats for assisting in liftingthe objects from the input area 200 onto the intermediate conveyor 204.

The processing station 206 also includes a grasp perception system 208that views the objects on the intermediate conveyor 204, and identifiesgrasp locations on the objects as further shown in FIG. 23. Theprocessing station 206 also includes a programmable motion device 210,such as an articulated arm, and a primary perception system 212 such asa drop perception unit. The grasp perception system 212 surveys theobjects to identify objects when possible, and to determine good grasppoints. The object is then grasped by the device 210, and dropped intothe drop perception system 212 to ensure that the object is accuratelyidentified. The object then falls through the primary perception system212 onto a primary transport system 214, e.g., a conveyor. The primarytransport system 214 carries the objects past one or more diverters 216,218 that may be engaged to divert an object off of the primary transportsystem 214 into any of carriages 220, 222, 224 (when the respectivecarriage is aligned with the diverter) or into the input area 200. Eachof the carriages 220, 222, 224 is reciprocally movable along a track theruns between rows of destination stations 226 of shuttle sections 228(as discussed below in more detail).

The flow of objects is diagrammatically shown in FIG. 24, which showsthat objects move from the infeed area 201 to the intermediate conveyor204. The programmable motion device 210 drops the objects into the dropperception unit 212, and the objects then land on the primary transportsystem 214. The objects are then conveyed by the primary transportsystem 214 to diverters that selectively divert objects to carriages(e.g., 220, 222, 224). The carriages bring the objects to one of aplurality of destination stations 226 (e.g., a processing box or aprocessing bin) and drops the object into the appropriate destinationstation. When a destination station is full or otherwise complete, thedestination station is moved to an output conveyor.

FIG. 25 shows a rear view of the system of FIG. 23 that more clearlyshows the programmable motion device and the drop perception system. Theprimary transport system 214 may be a cleated conveyor and the objectsmay be dropped onto the cleated conveyor such that one object isprovided per cleated section. The speeds of the conveyors 202 and 214may also be controlled to assist in providing a singulated stream ofobjects to the diverters 216, 218. The system may operate using acomputer processing control system 200 that communicates with theconveyor control systems, the perception units, the programmable motiondevices, the diverters, the box or bin removal systems, and any and allsensors that may be provided in the system.

With reference to FIG. 26, the processing station 206 includes a graspperception system 208 that is mounted above the intermediate conveyor204, which provides objects to be processed. The grasp perception system20, for example, may include (on the underside thereof), a camera, adepth sensor and lights. A combination of 2D and 3D (depth) data isacquired. The depth sensor may provide depth information that may beused together with the camera image data to determine depth informationregarding the various objects in view. The lights may be used to removeshadows and to facilitate the identification of edges of objects, andmay be all on during use, or may be illuminated in accordance with adesired sequence to assist in object identification. The system usesthis imagery and a variety of algorithms to generate a set of candidategrasp locations for the objects in the bin as discussed in more detailbelow.

The programmable motion device 210 may include a robotic arm equippedwith sensors and computing, that when combined is assumed herein toexhibit the following capabilities: (a) it is able to pick objects upfrom a singulated stream of objects using, for example, an end effector;(b) it is able to move the object to arbitrary places within itsworkspace; and, (c) it is able to generate a map of objects that it isable to pick, represented as a candidate set of grasp points in theworkcell, and as a list of polytopes enclosing the object in space. Theallowable objects are determined by the capabilities of the roboticsystem. Their size, weight and geometry are assumed to be such that therobotic system is able to pick, move and place them. These may be anykind of ordered goods, packages, parcels, or other articles that benefitfrom automated processing.

The correct processing destination is determined from the symbol (e.g.,barcode) on the object. It is assumed that the objects are marked in oneor more places on their exterior with a visually distinctive mark suchas a barcode or radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag so that theymay be identified with a scanner. The type of marking depends on thetype of scanning system used, but may include 1D or 2D barcodesymbologies. Multiple symbologies or labeling approaches may beemployed. The types of scanners employed are assumed to be compatiblewith the marking approach. The marking, either by barcode, RFID tag, orother means, encodes a symbol string, which is typically a string ofletters and numbers, which identify the object.

Once grasped, the object may be moved by the programmable motion device210 to a primary perception system 212 (such as a drop scanner). Theobject may even be dropped into the perception system 212. In furtheraspects, if a sufficiently singulated stream of objects is provided onthe intermediate conveyor 204, the programmable motion device may beprovided as a diverter (e.g., a push or pull bar) that diverts objectoff of the intermediate conveyor into the drop scanner. Additionally,the movement speed and direction of the intermediate conveyor 204 (aswell as the movement and speed of infeed conveyor 202) may be controlledto further facilitate providing a singulated stream of objects on theintermediate conveyor 204 adjacent the drop scanner.

As further shown in FIG. 27, the primary perception system 212 mayinclude a structure 234 having a top opening 236 and a bottom opening238, and may be covered by an enclosing material 240. The structure 234includes a plurality of sources (e.g., illumination sources such asLEDs) 242 as well as a plurality of image perception units (e.g.,cameras) 244. The sources 242 may be provided in a variety ofarrangements, and each may be directed toward the center of the opening.The perception units 244 are also generally directed toward the opening,although some cameras are directed horizontally, while others aredirected upward, and some are directed downward. The system 212 alsoincludes an entry source (e.g., infrared source) 246 as well as an entrydetector (e.g., infrared detector) 247 for detecting when an object hasentered the perception system 212. The LEDs and cameras thereforeencircle the inside of the structure 234, and the cameras are positionedto view the interior via windows that may include a glass or plasticcovering (e.g., 248).

In accordance with certain aspects, the invention provides the abilityto identify via barcode or other visual markings of objects by employinga perception system into which objects may be dropped. Automatedscanning systems would be unable to see barcodes on objects that arepresented in a way that their barcodes are not exposed or visible. Thesystem 212 therefore is designed to view an object from a large numberof different views very quickly, reducing or eliminating the possibilityof the system 212 not being able to view identifying indicia on anobject.

Following detection by the perception unit 212, the object is nowpositively identified and drops onto the primary transport system 214(e.g., a conveyor). With reference again to FIGS. 23 and 25, the primarytransport system 214 moves the identified object toward diverters 216,218 that are selectively engageable to divert the object off of theconveyor into any of carriages 220, 222, 224 or (if the object was notable to be identified), the object may be either returned to the inputarea 200 or it may be dropped off of the end of the conveyor 214 into amanual processing bin. Each carriage 220, 224, 226 is reciprocallymovable among destination bins 230 of one of a plurality of destinationsections 228. Efficiencies in space may be provided in accordance withcertain aspects by having objects first move from the input area 201along the infeed conveyor 202 in a direction that a horizontal componentand a vertical component. The object then drops through the drop scanner212 (vertically) and lands on the primary transport conveyor 214, whichalso moves the object in a direction that has a horizontal component(opposite in direction to that of the infeed conveyor 202) and avertical component. The object is then moved horizontally by a carriage220, 222, 224, and dropped (vertically) above a target destinationstation 230, such as a destination bin.

With reference to FIGS. 28A-28C, a diverter unit (e.g., 216) may beactuated to urge an object (e.g., 250) off of the conveyor 214 into aselected carriage (e.g., 220) that runs along a rail 221 betweendestination locations (stations) 230. The diverter unit may include apair of paddles 223 that are suspended by a frame 225 that provide thatthe paddles are actuatable linearly to move an object 250 off of theconveyor in either direction transverse to the conveyor. Again, withreference to FIG. 18, one direction of diversion for diverter 216, is toreturn an object to the infeed area 201.

Systems of various embodiments provide numerous advantages because ofthe inherent dynamic flexibility. The flexible correspondence betweensorter outputs and destinations provides that there may be fewer sorteroutputs than destinations, so the entire system may require less space.The flexible correspondence between sorter outputs and destinations alsoprovides that the system may choose the most efficient order in which tohandle objects, in a way that varies with the particular mix of objectsand downstream demand. The system is also easily scalable, by addingsorters, and more robust since the failure of a single sorter might behandled dynamically without even stopping the system. It should bepossible for sorters to exercise discretion in the order of objects,favoring objects that need to be handled quickly, or favoring objectsfor which the given sorter may have a specialized gripper.

FIG. 29 shows a destination section (e.g., such as any of sections 228of the system 12) that includes a movable carriage (e.g., 220) that mayreceive an object 252 from the end effector of the programmable motiondevice. The movable carriage 220 is reciprocally movable between tworows of the destination bins 230 along a guide track 221. As shown inFIG. 29, each destination bin 230 includes a guide chute that guides anobject dropped therein into the underlying destination bin 230. Thecarriage 220 moves along a track 221, and the carriage may be actuatedto drop an object 252 into a desired destination bin 230 via the guidechute (as shown in FIG. 30).

The movable carriage is therefore reciprocally movable between thedestination bins, and the/each carriage moves along a track, and may beactuated to drop an object (e.g., 252) into a desired destination bin.In certain aspects, the carriage (e.g., 220) may include sensors (e.g.,transmitter and receiver pairs 260 and/or 262 that may be used toconfirm that an object has been received by the carriage or confirmingthat an object has been discharged by the carriage. In still furtheraspects, the carriage may be mounted onto a rail chassis via load cells264 such that the weight within the carriage may be determined from loadcell output sensor data as discussed further below with reference toFIGS. 47 and 48. Knowledge of the weight in the carriage may be used toconfirm that an object has been received by the carriage, and that anobject has been discharged by the carriage. Knowing the weight may alsoconfirm that the object in the carriage is indeed the object that thesystem expects is in the carriage (where the system includes previouslyrecorded data regarding each object's weight).

In accordance with an aspects, the invention provides an automatedmaterial handling system that is tasked, in part, with routing objectscarried in bins to stations where objects are transferred from one binto another with one or more programmable motion devices (such asarticulated arms) at automated stations, and may further include manualstations. The objects may be provided in bins, which may be containers,totes, or boxes etc. An overall objective of the system may be to sortand ship goods, to perform order fulfillment, to replenish store stock,or to provide any general-purpose system requiring the transfer ofindividual objects from one bin to a processing system.

The objects may be packages, boxes, flats or polybags etc. in a shippingcenter, or consumer products in an e-commerce order fulfillment center,or products and warehouse packs in a retail distribution center (DC).The conveyance of objects or bins of objects could take many forms,including belt or roller conveyors, chutes, mobile robots, or humanworkers. The picking stations, where items are transferred, might beautomated systems including robotic systems, or a station manned by ahuman being.

FIG. 31 shows a diagrammatic view of an induction limiting system 300that includes an infeed conveyor 302 that leads to a classificationsystem 304. Once classified by the classification system 304, objectsare directed toward a routing system 306, which routes the objects toone of a plurality of directions as shown at 308, 310, 312. A model fora system similar to that shown in FIG. 11 for example, is shown in FIG.32. The system 320 of FIG. 32 includes an infeed conveyor 322 thatdirects objects to a classification system 324. The classificationsystem 324, in combination with one or more computer processing systems100, 200 and a database therein or coupled thereto, directs the objectstoward a routing system 330 (via a conveyor 328), and directs empty binsalong a bin outbound conveyor 326. The routing system 330 directs theobjects into one of three different directions. Objects that areaccepted for processing are directed along a conveyor 332 for processingby the object processing system 334. Objects that are outside of systemspecifications for processing, are directed along a non-processableobjects conveyor 344 for processing by systems or methods other than theprocessing system 334. Certain objects that do not fall directly intoeither classification (e.g., objects that are provided in polyethylenebags) are provided to a bag processor 338 via a bag processing conveyor336. At the bag processor 338, the objects are subjected to a test, anddepending on the results are either directed toward the object processor334 via processor 340, or are directed toward the non-processableobjects station via a conveyor 342.

Systems of the invention may be employed in a wide variety of routingsystem applications. For example, induction limiting systems of theinvention may be employed with multiple routing and processing system.FIG. 33, for example, shows a system 350 that includes an infeedconveyor 352 that provides objects to a classification system 354. Theclassification system 354 determines which of a plurality of processingsystems (e.g., A, B or C as shown at 362, 370, 374) to have the objectsent. In particular, objects first leave the classification system 354and travel along a conveyor 356 toward a first routing system 358.Certain objects (that are determined by the classification system 354)to be directed toward the processing system (A) 362, are directed alongconveyor 360 toward processing system (A) 362. All other objects aredirected along conveyor 364 toward a second routing system 366. Furtherobjects (that are determined by the classification system 354) to bedirected toward the processing system (B) 370, are directed alongconveyor 368 toward processing system (B) 370. All other objects aredirected along conveyor 372 toward routing system 374. Any of processingsystems A, B or C may, for example, be automated processing stations(e.g., designed for large or small/heavy or light objects) or manualprocessing stations (e.g., at which a person may make decisionsregarding object processing, or physically move objects to destinationlocations). In further aspects, the station C may be a pass-throughexceptions bin into which objects that are to be processed manually aredeposited.

As an example, FIG. 34 shows the induction system 10 and objectprocessing system 12 as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-8together with additional object processing systems 25 and 26 in series.In particular, the induction system 10 includes an input station 14 withthe response evaluation section 16 of conveyor 22, the multipurposeperception unit 24 and weight sensing conveyor section 55 for evaluatingobjects (e.g., 28), and providing objects either to the exception bin 50via conveyor 35 (e.g., object 35) or to conveyor 41 (e.g., objects 40,42) using the multidirectional conveyor 53 as discussed above withreference to FIGS. 1-8.

The objects to be processed (e.g., objects 40, 42) are each assigned anobject processing station (e.g., 12, 25, 26) toward which they arerouted. In particular, the objects to be processed (again, e.g., 40, 42)may be routed to an appropriate processing station based on any of avariety of parameters, such as size, weight, packaging material (boxes,bags, odd shaped objects etc.), and even shipping location, and eachobject processing station may, for example, include components that areparticularly suited for certain sizes, weights, packaging materials etc.Certain objects may be routed by multidirectional conveyor 44 alongconveyor 46 to object processing station 12, while others (e.g., objects49, 52, 54) are directed along conveyor 48 toward further processingstations. Certain of those objects may be routed by multidirectionalconveyor 56 along conveyor 58 toward object processing station 25, whileothers (e.g., objects 61, 62, 63) are directed along conveyor 60 towardfurther processing stations. Certain of these objects may be routed bymultidirectional conveyor 64 along conveyor 65 toward processing station26, while others (e.g., 67) are directed along conveyor 66 towardfurther object processing stations. The operation of the systems may becontrolled by one or more computer processing systems (e.g., 100, 68 and69).

As another example, FIG. 35 shows the induction system 11 and objectprocessing system 12 as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 9 and10, together with additional object processing systems 25 and 26 inseries. In particular, the induction system 11 includes an input station14 with the response evaluation section 16 of conveyor 22, themultipurpose perception unit 24 and weight sensing conveyor section 55for evaluating objects, and providing objects to any of an exception binvia conveyor 134 or to conveyor 138 or to a bag processing conveyor 144using the multidirectional conveyor 132 as discussed above withreference to FIGS. 9 and 10. Any objects that are detected as beingpackaged in bags are directed to conveyor 144 toward deformable objectinduction system 194 including articulated arm 192, where objects aretested as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, and eitherdirected along non-processable object conveyor 196 or along processableobject conveyor 198 as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

Again, the objects to be processed are each assigned an objectprocessing station (e.g., 12, 25, 26) toward which they are routed. Inparticular, the objects to be processed (e.g., 43, 52, 54) may be routedto an appropriate processing station based on any of a variety ofparameters, such as size, weight, packaging material (boxes, bags, oddshaped objects etc.), and even shipping location, and each objectprocessing station may, for example, include components that areparticularly suited for certain sizes, weights, packaging materials etc.Certain objects may be routed by multidirectional conveyor 45 alongconveyor 19 to object processing station 12, while others (e.g., objects43, 52, 54) are directed along conveyor 47 toward further processingstations. As discussed above with reference to FIG. 34, certain of thoseobjects may be routed by multidirectional conveyor 56 along conveyor 58toward object processing station 25, while others (e.g., objects 61, 62,63) are directed along conveyor 60 toward further processing stations.Certain of these objects may be routed by multidirectional conveyor 64along conveyor 65 toward processing station 26, while others (e.g., 67)are directed along conveyor 66 toward further object processingstations. The operation of the systems may be controlled by one or morecomputer processing systems (e.g., 200, 68 and 69).

FIG. 36 shows a system that includes the induction system 13 and objectprocessing system 12 as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 11-22D,together with additional object processing systems 25 and 26 in series.In particular, the induction system 13 includes an input station 114including a bin in-feed conveyor 122, a bin output conveyor 126, anarticulated arm 132 and an object in-feed conveyor 13, and providingobjects to any of an exception bin via conveyor 134 or to conveyor 138using the multidirectional conveyor 132 or to a bag processing conveyor144 as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 11-22D. Any objects thatare detected as being packaged in bags are directed to conveyor 144toward deformable object induction system 194 including articulated arm192, where objects are tested as discussed above with reference to FIGS.11-22D, and either directed along non-processable object conveyor 196 oralong processable object conveyor 198 as discussed above with referenceto FIGS. 11-22D.

Again, the objects to be processed are each assigned an objectprocessing station (e.g., 12, 25, 26) toward which they are routed. Inparticular, the objects to be processed may be routed to an appropriateprocessing station based on any of a variety of parameters, such assize, weight, packaging material (boxes, bags, odd shaped objects etc.),and even shipping location, and each object processing station may, forexample, include components that are particularly suited for certainsizes, weights, packaging materials etc. Certain objects may be routedby multidirectional conveyor 59 along conveyor 51 to object processingstation 12, while others (e.g., objects 52, 53, 54) are directed alongconveyor 47 toward further processing stations. As discussed above withreference to FIG. 35, certain of those objects may be routed bymultidirectional conveyor 56 along conveyor 55 toward object processingstation 25, while others (e.g., objects 61, 62, 63) are directed alongconveyor 60 toward further processing stations. Certain of these objectsmay be routed by multidirectional conveyor 64 along conveyor 65 towardprocessing station 26, while others (e.g., 67) are directed alongconveyor 66 toward further object processing stations. The operation ofthe systems may be controlled by one or more computer processing systems(e.g., 200, 68 and 69).

FIG. 37 shows the induction system 15 and object processing systems 12,17, 21, 23 in parallel. The induction system 15 includes not only theinput station 14 including the response evaluation section of conveyor22, the multipurpose perception unit 24, the weight sensing conveyorsection 55 and the multidirectional conveyor 53 as discussed above withreference to FIGS. 1-8, the induction system 15 further includes aplurality of sets of multipurpose perception units, weight sensingconveyor sections and multidirectional conveyors for evaluating objects(e.g., 28). Multidirectional conveyor 53 leads to conveyor 41 andmultidirectional conveyor 44 for providing objects (e.g., 40, 42) toobject processing system 12 via conveyor 46 as well as any additionalobject processing systems (e.g., object 49 on conveyor 48) in serieswith the object processing system 12 as discussed above with referenceto FIG. 34.

In particular, conveyor 22 also includes an additional inspectionstation 86 with a multipurpose perception unit 85, a weight sensingconveyor section 87 and a multidirectional conveyor 88 for evaluatingobjects (e.g., 81), and for optionally directing objects (e.g., 83, 89)along conveyor 31 toward a multidirectional conveyor 90.Multidirectional conveyor 90 leads to conveyor 91 for providing objectsto object processing system 17 as well as to any additional objectprocessing systems (e.g., object 93) along conveyor 92 in series withthe object processing system 17.

Conveyor 22 further includes an additional inspection station 96 with amultipurpose perception unit 95, a weight sensing conveyor section 97and a multidirectional conveyor 99 for evaluating objects (e.g., 98),and for optionally directing objects (e.g., 111, 113) along conveyor 151toward a multidirectional conveyor 115. Multidirectional conveyor 115leads to conveyor 117 for providing objects to object processing system21 as well as to any additional object processing systems (e.g., object121) along conveyor 119 in series with the object processing system 21.

Conveyor 22 further includes an additional inspection station 127 with amultipurpose perception unit 125, a weight sensing conveyor section 129and a multidirectional conveyor 131 for evaluating objects (e.g., 137),and for optionally directing objects (e.g., 139, 141) along conveyor 153toward a multidirectional conveyor 145. Multidirectional conveyor 145leads to conveyor 147 for providing objects to object processing system23 as well as to any additional object processing systems (e.g., object155) along conveyor 149 in series with the object processing system 21.Objects (e.g., 28, 36, 81, 94, 98, 123, 137) may therefore be routedalong conveyor 22 to any of a plurality of processing stations, and thendirected along a transverse conveyor (e.g., 41, 31, 151, 153) to any ofa plurality of processing stations in series along the transverseconveyor. Non-processable objects (e.g., object 157) may be provided toan exception bin 159 at the end of the conveyor 22. Operation of thesystem may be controlled by one or more computer processing systems 100,161, 163, 165. Again, the objects to be processed may be routed to anappropriate processing station based on any of a variety of parameters,such as size, weight, packaging material (boxes, bags, odd shapedobjects etc.), and even shipping location, and each object processingstation may, for example, include components that are particularlysuited for certain sizes, weights, packaging materials etc.

FIG. 38 shows a plurality of different types of induction systems usedwith a plurality of object processing systems. The induction system 114includes the input bin conveyor 122, output bin conveyor 126 andarticulated arm 116, weight sensing conveyor 155, multidirectionalconveyor 132, deformable object induction limiting system 194 andarticulated arm 192 as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 11-22,together with conveyors 57, 130, 138, 144, 196, 134 and 198. Conveyors138 and 198 lead to multidirectional conveyor 59, where objects areeither directed to object processing system 12 via conveyor 51, or aredirected along conveyor 57 (e.g., object 53) toward one of a pluralityof further object processing systems as discussed above with referenceto FIG. 36. The multidirectional conveyor 132 however does not lead to anon-processable object collection bin, but rather leads to furtherinduction systems via conveyor 181.

In particular, conveyor 181 leads to an induction system 14 thatincludes the response evaluation section 16, the multipurpose perceptionunit 24, the weight sensing conveyor section, multidirectional conveyor132 and deformable object induction limiting system 194 and articulatedarm 192 as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, togetherwith conveyors 19, 22, 138, 144, 196 and 198. Conveyors 138 and 198 leadto multidirectional conveyor 45, where objects are either directed toobject processing system 177 via conveyor 19, or are directed alongconveyor 47 (e.g., object 43) toward one of a plurality of furtherobject processing systems as discussed above with reference to FIG. 35.Again, the multidirectional conveyor 132 does not lead to anon-processable object collection bin, but rather leads to a furtherinduction systems via conveyor 183.

Conveyor 183 leads to a further induction system 14 including theresponse evaluation section 16, the multipurpose perception unit 24, theweight sensing conveyor section, multidirectional conveyor 132 anddeformable object induction limiting system 194 and articulated arm 192as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-8, together with conveyors22, 40, 46, 48 and 35. Conveyor 41 leads to multidirectional conveyor44, where objects are either directed to object processing system 179via conveyor 46, or are directed along conveyor 48 (e.g., object 49)toward one of a plurality of further object processing systems asdiscussed above with reference to FIG. 34. Objects that are not to beprocessed (e.g., object 36) are provided to non-processable objectexception bin 50 via conveyor 35.

Again, the objects to be processed are each assigned an objectprocessing station (e.g., 12, 177, 179) toward which they are routed. Inparticular, the objects to be processed may be routed to an appropriateprocessing station based on any of a variety of parameters, such assize, weight, packaging material (boxes, bags, odd shaped objects etc.),and even shipping location, and each object processing station may, forexample, include components that are particularly suited for certainsizes, weights, packaging materials etc. Operation of the system may becontrolled by one or more computer processing systems 100, 200, 301.

Any of a wide variety of detection systems may also be employed in theabove disclosed and further aspects of the present invention. Forexample, as discussed above with regard to the weight sensing conveyorsdiscussed above, such a weight sensing conveyor may be provided in awide variety of systems. For example, and with reference to FIGS. 39Aand 39B, a weight sensing conveyor system 380 that may be used in aninduction system of any of FIGS. 1, 9, 11, 34-38, 49, 56 and 70, andthat include a weight scale 382, including a base 384 and a scale 386,that is provided between upper 388 and lower 390 portions of a conveyorsection 392. Objects on the conveyor may thereby be weighed while on theconveyor.

FIGS. 40A and 40B show a weight sensing conveyor system 400 that may beused in an induction system of any of FIGS. 1, 9, 11, 34-38, 49, 56 and70, and that includes a conveyor section 402 that is mounted on rollers404, 406, each of which is mounted at both ends on a pair of load cells408, 410 (only one of which is shown at one end of each roller 404,406). Damaged packages may also be identified by the perception system,for example, if a package appears to be wet or leaking. Moisturesensitive sensors may be employed in connection with conveyor 382 in anyof the pre-processing systems of FIGS. 1, 9, 11, 34-38, 49, 56 and 70 byhaving a load cell 408, 410 include moisture sensors. In otherembodiments, cameras (e.g., one trillion fps cameras that are able totrack photons) that are able to detect moisture may also be used in suchinduction systems. Any dampness detected would indicate that the objectis likely damaged, requiring exception processing.

With reference to FIGS. 41A-41D, the system 400 may further provide thatan object 412 on the conveyor section 402 may determine not only theweight of the object 412, but may further use the difference between theends of the lengths and the ends of the widths, as well as weightsperceived by each of the load cells 408, 410, to determine an area ofthe center of mass of the object 412 in accordance with a further aspectof the present invention. The system 400 may, for example, be used inany of the induction systems of FIGS. 1, 9, 11, 34-38, 49, 56 and 70.

With reference to FIGS. 42A and 42B, a weight scale such as that shownin FIGS. 39A-39B, may be provided as multiple scales. FIGS. 42A and 42B,for example, show the scale system 420 that includes four scale sections422, 424, 426, 428 on a scale base 430. The scale system 420 may be usedin any of the pre-processing systems of FIGS. 1, 9 and 11. Using such ascale system, the use of the multiple scales may also be employed tolocate a center of mass of an object on the scale system 420.

FIGS. 43A-43C show a scale system 440 that includes multiple rollers 442mounted within a frame 444 on a base 446, wherein each roller 442 ismounted to the frame 444 via a load cell or force torque sensor 446 oneither end of the each roller 442. The system 440 may be used in any ofthe pre-processing systems of FIGS. 1, 9 and 11. By monitoring theoutputs of each of the load cells or force torque sensors 446, thecenter of the mass of an object on the rollers may be determined.

Such systems therefore, that provide weight sensing in the presentationconveyor may include one or more load cells or weight sensitivemechanisms embedded into the surface on which objects are presented to aprogrammable motion device such as an articulated arm. Each object'sweight and/or observed density (weight/volume) as may be estimated usingthe programmable motion system's cameras or range sensors that canperceive volume. Objects may be diverted or otherwise pass by theprocessing system when these values exceed specifications. To betterlocalize incompatible objects (e.g., packages), there may be a grid ofsuch weight sensitive mechanisms that are able to sense which region ofthe picking area contains the one or more incompatible objects, and thenallow picking from any area except where the incompatible object(s) hasbeen detected. Further, the systems may detect flow readings whilegripping an object. If a flow of air (F₁) is too high (as compared to anexpected flow (F₂) for a particular object, then the system may permitthe object to be diverted from or move past an object processing system.

In further aspects therefore, the end effector of the programmablemotion device (and as discussed herein with reference to FIGS. 9-22D,35, 36, 38, 54, 70 and 71) may include an end effector 450 as shown inFIG. 44 that includes a load cell or force torque sensor 454 thatseparates an upper portion 452 that is coupled to the programmablemotion device, and a lower portion 458. The system may employ the loadsensitive device at the gripper to estimate the weight of the object. Ifthe object exceeds an acceptable weight specification, the object isreleased into a stream directed toward an exception area. Also, anymovement of the lower portion with respect to the upper portion will bedetected by the load cell. A weight therefore of any object that isbeing grasped by the flexible bellows 456 under vacuum, may bedetermined. Although an object may move with respect to the lowerportion 458 (e.g., by use of the flexible bellows), any movement ofgrasped object that translates to movement of the lower portion 458 withrespect to the upper portion 452 will be detected by the load cell orforce torque sensor 454. Not only weight therefore, bus also abalance/imbalance of the grasp, as well as any torque being applied tothe lower portion 458 will also be detected. Again, if the sensed(estimated) weight of an object being grasped exceeds either an expectedweight (beyond a threshold), then the system may release the objecteither to be simply diverted from the processing station, or to bedirected to an exception area.

In accordance with further aspects, the system may limit the initialgrip force. For example, the system may employ a partially open grippervalve to limit the maximum grip force (V₁) in a vacuum gripper 450 untilan object is lifted. Once the object is lifted, the gripper valve may befully closed, bringing the vacuum force to a greater vacuum (V₂) toexecute a secure and reliable transfer of the object. Such a processensures that objects will not be dropped during transfer, and limits theinduction of objects to the processing system that are potentially atrisk of being dropped or not processed properly.

FIG. 45 shows an end effector 460 for use in a system in accordance witha further aspect of the present invention that includes a rigid portion462 that is coupled to the programmable motion device, and a flexiblebellows 464 that may move with respect to the rigid portion. Attached toa lower portion of the flexible bellows 464 is a rigid bracket 466 thatis includes a band portion around the flexible bellows, and a verticalportion 465 that is orthogonally disclosed with regard to the bandportion. The top of the vertical portion includes either a magnet or asensor, and mounted on the end effector is the other of either a magnetor a sensor pair 468, 469. The magnet and sensor pair provide that anymovement of the bottom of the end effector with respect to the rigidportion 462 of the end effector, will be detected by the sensor system.In this way, any of a weight of an object, or characterization of agrasp of any object (e.g., balance/imbalance, or torque applied to theend effector) may also be determined. The end effector 460 may be usedwith any of the end effector systems discussed herein with reference toFIGS. 9-22D, 35, 36, 38, 54, 70 and 71.

With reference to FIG. 46, the system may use an end effector 455 (suchas any end effector discussed herein) that includes a sensor 457 such asa flow sensor or pressure sensor. The system may compute fromobservations of flow and/or pressure while holding an item, whether thegripper 459 has a sufficient grasp on an object. In particular, thesystem may measure flow readings when gripping an object and determinewhether the measured values are within a pickable object range ofvalues. If the object is not pickable, the object may be passed to anexception area without being processed. The end effector 455 may be usedwith any of the systems discussed above with reference to FIGS. 10A-13and 54.

FIGS. 47 and 48 show a carriage 470 for use in a system in accordancewith an aspect of the invention similar to that shown in FIGS. 23, 25and 28A-30 having a body 472 that includes a taller back wall 474against which objects may be re-directed into the generally V-shapedbody 472 of the carriage. The carriage 470 is mounted via load cells orforce torque sensors 476, 478 on a frame 480, and its motion along arail and in tipping, is controlled by actuation system 482.Communication and electronic controls are provided by electronicprocessing and communication system 488 (shown in FIG. 43). Again, theload cells or force torque sensors 476, 478 may be used to determine theweight of the contents of the carriage. For example, once an object isdetected by the beam-break transmitter and receiver pair 484, 486, thesystem in accordance with an embodiment, will average the weight valueof the two load cells (W₁, W₂) together, double the result, and subtractthe weight of the body 472. In accordance with other embodiments, theload cells themselves may register a change, indicating that thecarriage has received or expelled an object.

Many further filter systems, diverter systems, testing systems, routingsystems and processing systems may be used in the above aspects andfurther below aspects of the invention. For example, certain embodimentsmay involve approaches to filtering packages that are too heavy, anddoing so before they reach one of the robot pickers. Such systems mayinclude a passive bomb-bay drop system. Such a system may involverouting incoming packages over a chute with a bomb-baby door or doors.The bomb-bay door is held closed by a spring whose stiffness is tuned sothat packages that are too-heavy fall through the bomb-bay door.Packages whose weight is less than the limit, do not exert enough forceto open the passive bomb-bay door(s). The passive bomb-bay door ismounted to a chute, so that packages fall naturally or slide over thebomb-bay without dropping.

In accordance with further aspects therefore, filtering systems of theinvention may include an actuatable bomb-bay drop system (e.g., motoractuated or spring loaded). A sensor measures the weight of packages asthey travel over the bomb-bay door(s), and a controller opens thebomb-baby door(s), either by a motor to open the bomb-bay, or by amechanism that unlocks the bomb-bay door, and then a motor that closesit again in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 49 shows an induction system 487 with an object processing system12. The induction system 487 includes an input section 14 including aresponse evaluation section 16 of a conveyor 22, side perception units18, overhead perception units 20, multipurpose perception unit 24,weight sensing conveyor section 53 and multidirectional conveyor 33 asdiscussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-8, as well as an exception bin21 for receiving non-processable objects (e.g., 36) via conveyor 35. Theinduction system 487 also includes a sloping conveyor 492 that includessections 495, 496 and 497 and travels over a second lower conveyor 489.With further reference to FIGS. 50A and 50B, when an object 499 travelsfrom the conveyor section 495 onto the conveyor section 496, weightsensors (e.g., force torque sensors) 485 detect the weight of theobject. If the object is either above or below a specified weight, theobject is dropped onto the lower conveyor 489 and is routed viamultidirectional conveyor 493 toward object processing system 12 viaconveyor 491. The system may elect to drop an object through thebomb-bay doors 498 is the object is too heavy or too light forprocessing by processing stations coupled to the conveyor section 497 asdiscussed above. The doors may be actuated by motors 483. Alternatively,the bomb-bay conveyor may designed to operate via spring mechanisms thatopen then the weight is above a threshold, and the conveyor 497 may leadto appropriate object processing systems.

FIGS. 51A and 51B show end views of the bomb-bay doors 498 over theconveyor 494 where the doors are closed (FIG. 51A), and opened (FIG.51B), such as by s a spring or motor actuator responsive to input fromforce torque sensors, for dropping an object 499 from the upper conveyor496 to the lower conveyor 489. In accordance with further aspects, thedoors may include weight-triggered flexible interlocking fingers ortynes, such as, for example shown in FIGS. 66A and 66B.

FIGS. 52A and 52B, for example, show a system 491 that includes an uppersloped conveyor system 492 that runs above a lower sloped conveyor 494.The system 491 may be used with any of the induction systems of FIGS. 1,9 and 11, replacing one or more of the conveyors shown in FIGS. 1, 9 and11, e.g., as shown by example in FIG. 49. The lower conveyor 494 of suchsystems may alternately lead to an exception bin. The upper conveyor 492includes active conveyor sections 495, 497, as well as set of bomb-baydoors. The upper conveyor 492 (as well as the lower conveyor 494) may beinclined (extend in X and Y directions), such that an object 499 on topof the doors 498 may slide over the doors to the next conveyor section497 if it is not dropped. With reference to FIG. 52B, if the doors 498are passive bomb-bay doors, and if the object 499 is too heavy (e.g.,overcomes a spring mechanism), then the doors 498 will open dropping theobject 499 to the lower conveyor 494. If the doors 498 aremotor-actuated bomb-bay doors, and if the object 499 is determined to betoo heavy (e.g., by a different weighing system disclosed above such asif conveyor section 495 is a weighing conveyor as discussed above), thenthe doors 498 will be opened by a motor, dropping the object 499 to thelower conveyor 494.

FIG. 53 shows an air-permeable conveyor 500 that includes a conveyormaterial 506 with openings 508 therein that permit air to flow throughthe material 506. The air-permeable conveyor 500 may be formed of aperforated, mesh or woven material and is driven over rollers 502, 504,and one roller (e.g., 502) includes openings 503 and provides a vacuumthrough the openings 503 into the roller 502. Such a system may be usedin an induction system 489 with an object processing system 12 as shownin FIG. 54.

The induction system 489 of FIG. 54 includes an input section 14including a response evaluation section 16 of a conveyor 22, sideperception units 18, overhead perception units 20, multipurposeperception unit 24, weight sensing conveyor section 53 andmultidirectional conveyor 33 as discussed above with reference to FIGS.1-8, as well as an additional conveyor 509 leading to the air-permeableconveyor 500. The free end of the air-permeable conveyor is positionedover two or more receiving stations, which may be conveyors, chutes, orautomated carriers. Three automated carriers 513, 515, 517 are shown inFIG. 54. Objects that are to processed, may be routed by multidirectionconveyor 33 to conveyor 511, which runs between a pair of articulatedarms 521, 523 as well as a pair of conveyors 525, 527, which via furthermultidirectional conveyors 529, 533 lead to object processing conveyors531 (leading to object processing system 12), and 535.

With further reference to FIG. 55A, objects may be provided on theconveyor 500 with the vacuum applied, and as objects pass around theoutside of the roller, the heavier ones may directly fall from theconveyor (e.g., object 503) into bin 513 as shown in FIG. 55B. Somewhatlighter objects (e.g., 505) may travel farther under the roller 502 intobin 515 as shown in FIG. 55C, and very light objects (e.g., 507) maydrop from the now upside down conveyor 506 into bin 517 only when theconveyor leaves the vacuum provided through the roller 502, as shown inFIG. 55D. With such a system, the objects also need not be singulated onthe conveyor since objects next to each other will fall according totheir own response to the vacuum. Additionally, one or more perceptionsystems 692 may monitor the actions of objects being dropped from theconveyor, and may communicate with one or more control systems 694 toadjust any of the vacuum pressure at the conveyor (via vacuumcontroller) 696 or conveyor speed (via rotational speed controller) 498.The system of FIGS. 53 and 55A-5D may be used for example, in furthersystems as disclosed herein.

Again, the receiving stations may be any of automated carriers, chutesor conveyors. FIG. 56 shows an induction system 647 that includes aninput section 14 including a response evaluation section 16 of aconveyor 22, side perception units 18, overhead perception units 20,multipurpose perception unit 24, weight sensing conveyor section 53 andmultidirectional conveyor 33 as discussed above with reference to FIGS.1-8, as well as an additional conveyor 509 leading to the air-permeableconveyor 500. In this example, the air-permeable conveyor is positionedover an automated carrier 513′, a chute 515′ that leads to an automatedcarrier 649, and a carrier 517′. Objects that are to processed, may berouted by multidirection conveyor 33 to conveyor 537, which runs betweena pair of conveyors 541, 545, which via further multidirectionalconveyors 551, 555 lead to object processing conveyors 553 (leading toobject processing system 12), and 557. The conveyors 537, 541 and 545also pass through an object transfer station 547 as discussed furtherbelow with reference to FIGS. 57-69, and in some examples, conveyors 541and 545 are lower than conveyor 537, while in other examples, each is atthe same height. At the object transfer station, objects are transferredfrom a conveyor to any of a variety of further units such as to otherconveyors, chutes or mobile units.

In accordance with further aspects of the invention for example,induction systems may be used that may discriminate between objects bypassing objects by an air blower that pushes lighter packages from astream of packages, leaving the heavier packages. The heavier packages'larger inertia overcomes the air resistance arising from the blown air.For lighter packages, the air resistance exceeds the lighter packages'lower inertia. The air flow are tuned to so that for common packagetypes, the stream blown away contains to the greatest extent thosepackages meeting the weight specifications.

FIG. 57 for example, shows an air permeable conveyor 501 similar to thatdiscussed above with reference to FIG. 53 that is designed to permit asubstantial amount of air to be blown through openings 508 in a web 506that moves (providing the conveying surface) along rollers. As shown inFIG. 57 such an air-permeable conveyor 501 may be used in a system 510in which objects are moved along an approach conveyor 512, and over theair-permeable conveyor 501. Below the air-permeable conveyor 501 is ablower source 514 that blows air through the air-permeable conveyor 500,and above the air-permeable conveyor 501 is a vacuum source 516 thatdraws air through the air-permeable conveyor 501. Both the blower 514and the vacuum source 516 may include a screen or array of openings (aspartially shown in FIG. 60). The combination of the blower 514 and thevacuum source 516 will cause some objects to be lifted off of theconveyor 501. Objects that are too heavy to be lifted off of theconveyor 501 will travel along the conveyor 501 and be transferred to afollower conveyor 518. The system 510 may be used in place of any of theconveyors in the systems of FIGS. 1, 9 and 11 with the lighter objectsbeing then routed to a light object processing station as discussedfurther with reference to FIGS. 59A-59C.

Additionally, and as shown in FIG. 58, the system may further includeone or more perception systems 521 that communicate with a vacuumcontrol processor 523 coupled to a vacuum controller 525, and thatcommunicate with a blower control processor 527 coupled to a blowercontroller 529. In this way, operation of the system may be monitoredand rate of flow of air by the blower and the vacuum may be adjusted asrequired.

With reference to FIG. 59A, when an object 520 is lifted toward thevacuum source 516, it is initially pushed by air from the blower source514 and lifted by the vacuum source 516. Once the object contacts ascreen on the vacuum source 516, the vacuum force will be strong enoughthat the air from the blower is no longer necessary to hold the objectagainst the vacuum source 516. The vacuum source 516 may be movablymounted on a rail 522 such that the vacuum source 518 may be moved to bepositioned over any of conveyor 501 or adjacent conveyors 524, 526, Withreference to FIG. 59B, the vacuum source 516, for example, may be movedover conveyor 524 while holding the object 520, and may then cease thevacuum, permitting the object to fall onto the conveyor 524 as shown inFIG. 59C. The vacuum source 516 is then returned to the position overthe conveyor 501. In this way, vacuum sources and/or blower sources maybe used to distinguish and separate objects of different characteristicssuch as weight or mass.

In accordance with further aspects, the system may further provide bulkpicking by such vacuum systems. Objects may pass by an area in which alarge vacuum surface is suspended upside down over the objects. Thesystem may grip objects in bulk—many at a time—but is only able toachieve a lift for light objects, while heavy objects are not lifted outof the object stream. The balance of vacuum lifting force verses weightand packaging material may be adjusted such that either all objects thatremain have a minimum weight, or that all objects that are lifted arebelow a maximum weight.

Induction systems in accordance with a further embodiment of theinvention may include system 530 that includes a blower source 532 and avacuum source 534 that are positioned on either side of an air-permeableconveyor 536 as shown in FIG. 60. The use of the air-permeable conveyormay facilitate drawing certain objects toward the vacuum source 534 bypermitting a greater flow of air. The conveyor 536 is fed objects by anin-feed conveyor 538, and provides objects (that are not removed fromthe conveyor 536 by the blower source 532 and vacuum source 534) to anout-feed conveyor 539. Objects that are removed from the conveyor 536fall onto any of another conveyor below and to the side of the conveyor536 or a chute or other mobile carrier as discussed in more detailbelow. Monitoring and control systems similar to that of FIG. 58 mayalso be used with the system of FIG. 60.

With reference to FIG. 61, a system 540 in accordance with a furtherembodiment of the invention may include a blower source 542 and a vacuumsource 544 that are positioned on either side of an air-permeableconveyor 546, as well as another blower source 543. The conveyor 546 isfed objects by an in-feed conveyor 548, and provides objects (that arenot removed from the conveyor 546 by the blower sources 542, 543 andvacuum source 544) to an out-feed conveyor 549. The blower source 543may further facilitate moving objects with the blower source 542 and thevacuum source 544. Again, objects that are removed from the conveyor 546fall onto any of another conveyor below and to the side of the conveyor536 or a chute or other mobile carrier as discussed in more detailbelow. Monitoring and control systems similar to that of FIG. 58 mayalso be used with the system of FIG. 61.

In applications where objects may be light enough to be moved off of anon-perforated conveyor (and/or the blower and vacuum source is high), asystem 550 may be provided that includes a blower source 552 and avacuum source 554 that are positioned on either side of a conveyor 556as shown in FIG. 62. The conveyor 556 is fed objects by an in-feedconveyor 558, and provides objects (that are not removed from theconveyor 556 by the blower source 552 and vacuum source 554) to anout-feed conveyor 559. Again, objects that are removed from the conveyor556 fall onto any of another conveyor below and to the side of theconveyor 556 or a chute or other mobile carrier as discussed in moredetail below. Monitoring and control systems similar to that of FIG. 58may also be used with the system of FIG. 62.

As noted above, objects may be routed to any of chutes, conveyors,mobile carriers etc. FIG. 63, for example, shows a system 560 thatincludes a central conveyor having an in-feed conveyor section 562, anout-feed conveyor section 564, and a weight-sensing conveyor 566 asdiscussed above with reference to FIGS. 39A-43C. The system 560 alsoincludes a pair of sources 568, 570 on either side of the weight-sensingconveyor 566, and each source 568, 570 may provide either forced air viaa blower or vacuum, such that objects may be moved by a blower-vacuumpair in either direction off of the conveyor 566.

With further reference to the side view shown in FIG. 64, objects mayeither be blown onto a chute 572 that leads to a conveyor 574 (e.g., byengaging source 570 as a blower and source 568 as a vacuum source), ormay be blown onto a chute 576 that least to a mobile carrier 578 (e.g.,by engaging source 568 as a blower and source 570 as a vacuum source).The selection of whether an object is to be moved to either the conveyor574 or the mobile carrier 578 may be a result of the air flow betweensources 568, 570, or in other aspects, may be triggered by a detectedweight of an object on the conveyor 566. In further aspects, theweight-sensing conveyor 566 may be employed to confirm an object'sweight, and further to provide feedback to the control system (e.g.,100) such that the sources (together or independently) may be adjustedto more finely tune their object removal capability.

FIG. 65 shows a system 600 that includes a central conveyor having anin-feed conveyor section 602, an out-feed conveyor section 604, and aweight-sensing multi-directional conveyor 606. The weight-sensingmulti-directional conveyor 606 may include weight-sensing rollers 442 asdiscussed above with reference to FIG. 39A-43C, as well as a series oforthogonally disposed narrow conveying belts 608. Either of the rollers442 or the belts 608 may be lowered/raised with respect to the other, toprovide that objects may either remain on the conveyor 606 and beprovided to the out-feed conveyor 604, or may be routed by the belts 608either to a chute 610 that leads to a conveyor 612, or to a chute 614that leads to a mobile carrier 616. The selection of whether an objectis to be moved to either the conveyor 612 or the mobile carrier 616 orremain on the conveyor 606 may be triggered by a detected weight of anobject on the conveyor 606. The mobile carrier 616 may include a bin orbox into which a received object is dropped, and the mobile carrier 616may be moved about a track system as discussed in more detail below.

FIGS. 66A and 66B show a system 620 in accordance with a furtherembodiment of the invention that includes a central conveyor having anin-feed conveyor section 622, an out-feed conveyor section 624, and aweight-sensing multi-directional conveyor 626. Again, the weight-sensingmulti-directional conveyor 626 may include weight-sensing rollers 442 asdiscussed above with reference to FIG. 39A-43C, as well as a series oforthogonally disposed narrow conveying belts 628. Either of the rollers442 or the belts 628 may be lowered/raised with respect to the other, toprovide that objects may either remain on the conveyor 626 and beprovided to the out-feed conveyor 624, or may be routed by the belts 628either to a chute 630 that leads to a conveyor 632, or to a chute 634that leads to a mobile carrier 636. Additionally, the chute 630 includesbomb-bay doors 638 that open above a further conveyor 639. The bomb-baydoors 638 may be either motor activated or designed to release by springunder a certain weight threshold as discussed above with reference toFIGS. 49-52B. The selection of whether an object is to be moved toeither the conveyor 612, the conveyor 639 or the mobile carrier 616, orremains on the conveyor 626 may be triggered by a detected weight of anobject on the conveyor 606. Again, the mobile carrier 616 may include abin or box into which a received object is dropped, and the mobilecarrier 616 may be moved about a track system as discussed in moredetail below.

FIG. 67 shows s system similar to system 560 of FIG. 63, including acentral conveyor having an in-feed conveyor section 562, an out-feedconveyor section 564, and a weight-sensing conveyor 566 as discussedabove with reference to FIGS. 39A-43C. The system 560 also includes apair of sources 568, 570 on either side of the weight-sensing conveyor566, and each source 568, 570 may provide either forced air via a bloweror vacuum, such that objects may be moved by a blower-vacuum pair ineither direction off of the conveyor 566. In addition to the chute 576leading to the automated carrier 578, the system of FIG. 67 includes achute 573 with a pair of bomb-bay doors 577 (as discussed above withreference to FIGS. 49-51B) for selectively providing an object either tothe conveyor 574 or dropping an object onto conveyor 575 that isadjacent conveyor 574.

FIGS. 68A and 68B show a system 580 that includes a central conveyorhaving an in-feed conveyor section 582, an out-feed conveyor section584, and a weight-sensing conveyor 586 as discussed above with referenceto FIGS. 39A-43C. The system 580 also includes a pair of paddles 588,590 on either side of the weight-sensing conveyor 586, and each paddle588, 590 may be used to urge an object on the weight-sensing conveyor586 off of the conveyor 586 in either direction, or an object may remainon the conveyor 586 and be moved to out-feed conveyor section 584. Withfurther reference to the FIG. 68B, objects may either be urged onto achute 592 that leads to a conveyor 594, or may be urged onto a chute 596that least to a mobile carrier 598. The selection of whether an objectis to be moved to either the conveyor 574 or the mobile carrier 578 orremain on the conveyor 586 may be triggered by a detected weight of anobject on the conveyor 586. The mobile carrier 598 may include a bin orbox into which a received object is dropped, and the mobile carrier 598may be moved about a track system as discussed in more detail below.

FIG. 69 shows a system similar to that of FIGS. 68A and 68B thatincludes a central conveyor having an in-feed conveyor section 582, anout-feed conveyor section 584, and a weight-sensing conveyor 586 asdiscussed above with reference to FIGS. 39A-43C. The system 580 alsoincludes a pair of paddles 588, 590 on either side of the weight-sensingconveyor 586, and each paddle 588, 590 may be used to urge an object onthe weight-sensing conveyor 586 off of the conveyor 586 in eitherdirection, or an object may remain on the conveyor 586 and be moved toout-feed conveyor section 584. In addition to the chute 596 leading tothe automated carrier 598, the system of FIG. 69 includes a chute 593with a pair of bomb-bay doors 597 (as discussed above with reference toFIGS. 49-51B) for selectively providing an object either to the conveyor594 or dropping an object onto conveyor 595 that is adjacent conveyor594.

The object processing system may include a plurality of stations asdiscussed above, and the induction filtering may direct differentobjects to the different stations based on a variety of objectcharacteristics and end effector characteristics (e.g., knowing whichend effectors are better suited for handling which objects). The abilityto provide objects from infeed conveyors to a wide variety of processingsystems provides significant flexibility, and the ability to provideobjects to automated carriers provides further flexibility in objectprocessing. FIG. 70, for example, shows an object processing system 650that includes multiple workstations 652, 654, 656 that receive objectsvia diverters 660, 662, 670, 672, 680, 682 under control of the one ormore processing systems 690. Workstation 652, may for example, be wellsuited for using an articulated arm 664 to move bags for destinationlocations 666, and workstation 654 may, for example, be better suitedfor using an articulated arm to move cylinders to destination locations676. Another workstation 656, may for example, include a human worker684 for moving objects to destination locations 686 that are not easilyprocessed by any articulated arms.

Object processing systems for use with induction filtering systems andmethods of various embodiments of the invention may be any of a widevariety of object processing systems such as sortation systems,automated storage and retrieval systems, and distribution andredistribution systems. For example, in accordance with furtherembodiments, the invention provides systems that are capable ofautomating the outbound process of a processing system. The system mayinclude one or more automated picking stations 700 (as shown in FIG. 71)and manual picking stations 800 (as shown in FIG. 72) that are suppliedwith containers by a fleet of mobile carriers that traverse a smartflooring structure formed of track segments as discussed above. Thecarriers may carry bins that can store objects. The system may provide anovel goods-to-picker system that uses a fleet of small mobile carriersto carry individual inventory totes and outbound containers to and frompicking stations.

In accordance with an embodiment of the system includes an automatedpicking station that picks eaches from inventory totes and loads theminto outbound containers. The system involves together machine vision,task and motion planning, control, error detection and recovery, andartificial intelligence grounded in a sensor-enabled, hardware platformto enable a real-time and robust solution for singulating items out ofcluttered containers.

With reference to FIG. 71, the automated picking system 700 perceivesthe contents of the containers using a multi-modal perception unit anduses a robotic arm equipped with an automated programmable motiongripper and integrated software in processing system 720 to pick eachesfrom homogeneous inventory totes and place them into heterogeneousoutbound containers. These elements are co-located in a work cell thatmeets industry standard safety requirements and interfaces with tracksystem to keep the automated picking system fed with a continual supplyof inventory totes and outbound containers.

In particular, the system 700 includes an array 702 of track elements704 as discussed above, as well as automated carriers 706 that ride onthe track elements 704 as discussed above. One or more overheadperception units 708 (e.g., cameras or scanners) acquire perception dataregarding objects in bins or totes 710, as well as perception dataregarding locations of destination boxes 712. A programmable motiondevice such as a robotic system 714 picks an object from the bin or tote710, and places it in the adjacent box 712. One or both of the units710, 712 are then moved automatically back into the grid, and one or twonew such units are moved into position adjacent the robotic system.Meanwhile, the robotic system is employed to process another pair ofadjacent units (again, a bin or tote 710 and a box 712) on the otherside of the robotic system 714. The robotic system therefore processes apair of processing units on one side, then switches sides while thefirst side is being replenished. This way, the system 700 need not waitfor a new pair of object processing units to be presented to the roboticsystem. The array 702 of track elements 704 may also include shelfstations 716 at which mobile units 706 may park or pick up eitherbins/totes 710 and boxes 712. The system operates under the control, forexample, of a computer processor 720.

The manual pick station system is a goods-to-person pick stationsupplied by mobile automated movement carriers on track systems asdiscussed above. The system has the same form and function as theautomated picking station in that both are supplied by the samecarriers, both are connected to the same track system grid, and bothtransfer eaches from an inventory tote to an outbound container. Themanual system 800 (as shown in FIG. 72) relies on a manual team memberto perform the picking operation.

Also, the manual system raises carriers to an ergonomic height (e.g. viaramps), ensures safe access to containers on the carriers, and includesa monitor interface (HMI) to direct the team member's activities. Theidentity of the SKU and the quantity of items to pick are displayed onan HMI. The team member must scan each unit's UPC to verify the pick iscomplete using a presentation scanner or handheld barcode scanner. Onceall picks between a pair of containers are complete, the team memberpresses a button to mark completion.

In accordance with this embodiment (and/or in conjunction with a systemthat includes an AutoPick system as discussed above), a system 800 ofFIG. 72 may include an array 802 of track elements 804 that are providedon planer surfaces 806 as well as inclined surfaces 808 leading tofurther planar surfaces. The system 800 may also include visual datascreens 809 that provide visual data to a human sorter, informing thehuman sorter of what goods are to be moved from totes or bins 810 todestination boxes 812. The system operates under the control, forexample, of a computer processor 820.

While the bulk of the overall system's picking throughput is expected tobe handled by automated picking systems, manual picking systems providethe carrier and track system the ability to (a) rapidly scale to meet anunplanned increase in demand; (b) handle goods that are not yet amenableto automation; and (c) serve as a QA, problem solving, or inventoryconsolidation station within the overall distribution system. The systemtherefore, provides significant scaling and trouble-shootingcapabilities in that a human sorted may be easily added to an otherwisefully automated system. As soon as a manual picking system is enabled(occupied by a sorter), the system will begin to send totes or bins 810and boxes 812 to the manual picking station. Automated picking stationsand manual picking stations are designed to occupy the same footprint,so a manual picking station may later be replaced with an automatedpicking station with minimal modifications to the rest of the system.

Again, a carrier is a small mobile robot that can interchangeably carryan inventory tote, outbound container, or a vendor case pack. Thesecarriers can remove or replace a container from or onto a storagefixture using a simple linkage mechanism. Since a carrier only carriesone container at a time, it can be smaller, lighter, and draw less powerthan a larger robot, while being much faster. Since the carriers driveon a smart tile flooring, they have lessened sensing, computation, andprecision requirements than mobile robots operating on bare floor. Thesefeatures improve cost to performance metrics.

All carriers run on the same shared roadway of track sections asindependent container-delivery agents. The carriers can move forward,backward, left or right to drive around each other and reach anylocation in the system. This flexibility allows the carriers to servemultiple roles in the system by transporting (a) inventory totes topicking stations, (b) outbound containers to picking stations, (c)inventory totes to and from bulk storage, (d) full outbound containersto discharge lanes, and (e) empty outbound containers into the system.Additionally, the carriers may be added incrementally as needed to scalewith facility growth.

The track floor modules are standard-sized, modular, and connectablefloor sections. These tiles provide navigation and a standard drivingsurface for the carriers and may act as a storage area for containers.The modules are connected to robotic pick cells, induction stations frombulk storage, and discharge stations near loading docks. The moduleseliminate the need of other forms of automation, e.g. conveyors, for thetransportation of containers within the system.

As shown at 900 in FIG. 73, the system may be scaled up to include amuch larger array of track modules 902, and many processing stations 904that may, for example, be any of inventory in-feed stations, emptyoutbound vessel in-feed stations, automated and manual processingstations, and outbound stations as discussed above. The system operatesunder the control, for example, of a computer processor 906.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications andvariations may be made to the above disclosed embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A distribution system comprising: an air-permeable conveyor section; an air intake system comprising a vacuum source having a screened opening that faces the conveyor section at a fixed distance from above the conveyor section; and a forced air system comprising an air blower having an opening that faces the air intake system from below the conveyor section; wherein the air intake system and the forced air system cooperate to draw an object from the conveyor section into contact with the screened opening of the vacuum source.
 2. The distribution system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveyor section includes a conveyor with a plurality of openings in the conveyor.
 3. The distribution system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveyor section is formed from a mesh material.
 4. The distribution system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vacuum source of the air intake system is dynamically adjustable to accommodate a variety of objects presented to the conveyor section.
 5. The distribution system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the distribution system includes an adjustable vacuum control system for adjusting a vacuum of the air intake system.
 6. The distribution system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distribution system further includes a perception unit that is directed toward the object on the conveyor section.
 7. The distribution system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air intake system is movably mounted on a gantry to carry the object drawn to the air intake system toward one of a plurality of adjacent conveyors.
 8. A distribution system for providing dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units, said distribution system comprising: a conveyor section; and an air transfer system including a forced air system comprising an air blower and an air intake system comprising a vacuum source, the air blower and the vacuum source being horizontally adjacent to opposite sides on the conveyor section; wherein the air blower and the vacuum source cooperate to urge an object from the conveyor section to one of the plurality of receiving units.
 9. The distribution system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the conveyor section includes a conveyor with a plurality of openings in the conveyor.
 10. The distribution system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the conveyor section is formed from a mesh material.
 11. The distribution system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the vacuum source of the air intake system is dynamically adjustable to accommodate a variety of objects presented to the conveyor section.
 12. The distribution system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the distribution system includes an adjustable vacuum control system for adjusting a vacuum of the air intake system.
 13. The distribution system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the distribution system further includes a perception unit that is directed toward the object on the conveyor section.
 14. The distribution system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the plurality of receiving units include any of an adjacent conveyor, a chute or a mobile carrier.
 15. A method of distributing dissimilar objects to one of a plurality of receiving units, said method comprising: providing a conveyor section between a forced air system and an air intake system, the forced air system comprising an air blower and the air intake system comprising a vacuum source that faces the air blower; and engaging the forced air system and the air intake system to provide forced air and a vacuum that moves an object off the conveyor section.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the vacuum source of the air intake system is dynamically adjustable to accommodate a variety of objects presented to the conveyor section.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising monitoring the object on the conveyor section using a perception unit that is directed toward the conveyor section.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising adjusting a vacuum provided by the vacuum source of the air intake system.
 19. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein an opening of the air intake system is above the conveyor section.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein an opening of the air intake system is horizontally adjacent the conveyor section.
 21. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein an opening of the forced air system is below the conveyor section.
 22. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein an opening of the forced air system is horizontally adjacent the conveyor section.
 23. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising: mounting the air intake system on a gantry; and moving the air intake system on the gantry to carry an object drawn to the air intake system toward one of a plurality of adjacent conveyors. 